Pakistan vs New Zealand 1st T20I Live Update: In what promises to be a really entertaining and fascinating series, arch rivals Pakistan and New Zealand are locking horns against each other in a five match T20i series. The first game of this series is taking place tonight at Rawalpindi. This series is acting as a preparatory ground for both the teams ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Pakistan recently reappointed Babar Azam as their captain for the white ball formats and he will be seen leading the Shaheens in the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. Fast bowler Mohammad Amir and spin bowling all rounder Imad Wasim recently came out of retirement and have been included in the squad for the New Zealand series. This series is a home series for the 2022 T20 World Cup runners up and Babar Azam & company would be looking to identify their best possible playing 11 combination against New Zealand which can help them perform well in the World Cup.
New Zealand on the other hand have sent a depleted and second string squad to Pakistan as their main players are busy with IPL 2024 commitments. But, this squad of the Kiwis cannot be taken lightly as they have the potential to pull off an upset against a strong Pakistani team. This series provides an opportunity for the youngsters to perform well and book their spots in New Zealand’s 2024 T20 World Cup squad. All Rounder Michael Bracewell is handling the leadership duties against Pakistan for this series and it remains to be seen how well the Black Caps will perform against Pakistan.
Many fans are excited to witness both the teams in action but there’s some bad news vas the start of the first T20 International between Pakistan and New Zealand has been delayed due to heavy rainfall in the city of Rawalpindi.
Pakistan’s former T20i skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi had marked his runup and was ready to bowl the first delivery of the game but the rain is falling down so heavily that players from both the teams had to head back towards the dressing room.
Earlier, the visitors won the toss and skipper Bracewell opted to have a bat first.
The Babar Azam led team have handed three debut caps to the likes of Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan and Irfan Khan Niazi.
On the other hand, Josh Clarkson is making his T20i debut for New Zealand against the Shaheens.
Playing 11’s of both the teams for the first T20I
Pakistan: Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Irfan Khan Niazi, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed.
New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (Captain), Josh Clarkson, Mark Chapman, Dean Foxcroft, Jacob Duffy, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Seifert (WK), Ben Lister, Ben Sears, Tim Robinson and Ish Sodhi.
The toss got delayed due to rain, and originally the toss was scheduled to take place at 7:30 pm (IST), with the match starting at 8:00 PM, but, the Rain gods forced the groundsmen to bring on the covers.
It’s worth noting that rain can affect the second T20 International as well as there’s an 49 percent chance of rain on 20th April, the day when the second game is scheduled to take place.
Luckily, the rainfall percentage for the third T20i on 21st April is considerably less at 19 percent.
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